Bladder Issues after Prostatectomy

[Don188]

Hello.  I had robotic laparoscopic prostate surgery 2 months ago.  The catheter was removed 2 weeks after the operation.  Although I've been doing kegel exercises every day I've had no improvement in my incontinence.  What concerns me is I have no bladder sensation at all, no sign of fullness, sense of urgency, etc.  When I rise from bed or a chair, I feel urine flood into my urethra.  Also there is constant leakage requiring numerous daily changes.  My worry is that the operation damaged my bladder nerves and I may be looking at permanent incontinence.  Has anyone experienced a similar incontinence or bladder issue and did it improve over time?  Thanks.        

[jsa750]

Yes,exactly. I joined this group to see if there was anyone else experiencing this.Have you had any insight,any help from the Dr.??

[Don188]

Thanks for your feedback.  To answer your question, no, I haven't received any helpful information from my doctor (who was also my surgeon).  He simply suggested I continue with the kegel exercises, prescribed Vesicare and Sudafed (Pseudoephedrine), and asked to see me again in 3 months.  Seems evident to me that some type of nerve damage is involved.  Next month I plan to see the urologist who treated me for BPH and I'm going to see if there are any tests that might help identify the specific problem.  If I find any helpful info in the meantime, I'll post it here.
                                        

[geovanni]

My husband had this about 4 months ago. His symptoms are not as severe but they have not improved at all either. I called his Dr. and we are going back in for training. He has been great for helping us know what to do with each problem.  One thing his training told us was not to drink caffiene and not to eat acidic food like tomatoes) the day he started that he saw improvement right away.Demand more info!!  

[purelife53]

How are  you dudes doing now? How old are you? 5 months since the robotic removal here...you should see major bladder control  by the 4th month. No kegels here, doc said they make no difference AFTER the surgery, but wont do any harm I suppose. Tomatoes, usually cooked by the load here, there one of your best tools to slow down P/C. ..... I'm in my mid 50s and have about 75% control back. No more depends, just 2 pads per day in tight briefs. 4 cups of coffee and 3 white owls . Red wine. Vitamin D, pom wonderful, green black and white teas. Advil helps slow the advance....and....the most important thing....no stress.....stress kills......relax into your inevitable death, it will help you live longer! good luck!

[Don188]

Thanks for the feedback.  I'm coming up to 4 months post-op and still haven't seen much improvement (can now wear a pad at night instead of the full underwear).  Still using 4 to 5 pads a day.  I'm 56, work out twice a day, don't drink alchohol or caffeine and stay away from acidic foods.  I'm hopeful at least with the nighttime improvement that I'll eventually regain continence.  My urologist tells me he had a patient who was 11 months post-surgery, totally incontinent with an AUS operation scheduled in 30 days who regained continence practically overnight.  So trying to stay positive.  Thanks again for your input and best of luck on your continued improvement.
    

[purelife53]

You are right on schedule! You will see a big improvement in the next 4 weeks. Try standing but keeping busy for an hour at a time. I force myself to cook, but do so while standing up, but stay  close to the toilet.....every ten minutes or so stand over the toilet with the sink running and you will pee a little bit in the bowl.... even though you dont have an urge to pee...thats how I began controling the 2nd stage. The first stage, sleeping or resting while horizontal is easy, when you stand up you get the urge to pee and seldom make the toilet @ first and thats ok. you can use a container near the bed, but thats not gonna get your control improved. While working out or hiking I still find it tough not to leak so I do the same thing....stop after ten minutes and stand and pee without a real urge to do so....but the volume increases (volume is the amount of pee that goes into the bowl and not in a pad!} each week. After you get your bladder control to 80% or more you will begin to realize that its not all that important and keeping the cancer sleeping is the important thing....but one thing at a time. I  hope this helps.

[Don188]

Thanks again for the advice and encouragement.  It helps a lot.